🔥 Last weekend I joined fellow Victorian Mayors in Murrindindi to see firsthand the devastation caused by January’s bushfires and hear from communities still recovering nine months later.
⛪ A wonderful morning in Oakleigh celebrating the opening of the newly renovated Archangel Michael & St Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox Church!
Oakleigh Glendi.
🏙️ A big week in Canberra talking about the future of our cities!
🏗️ The biggest infrastructure project in Monash Council’s history is officially underway!
The following statement was made by the Mayor at the October Council meeting.
Back at an old favourite this morning with Lachie and Turtle (original name I know).
Ten years on Council. Three terms as Mayor. And it all started with taking our puppy for a walk. 🐶
Cracking afternoon down at the Oakleigh Carnegie RSL. Today is an open day and the place is pumping. Pop on down and enjoy the free music and great company.
🏅 A special afternoon recognising extraordinary community service!
🐕 I’m not sure whether Lachie thought he was a dog or that we’d just opened a new children’s playground, but either way, he gave the new agility equipment a pretty thorough workout! 😂
⛳ A fantastic day at Riversdale Golf Club Monday for the 47th annual Mayor of Monash Charity Golf Day!
🏏🏉 A $1.8 million upgrade for community sport in Monash!
I’m horrified by the news that Federal MP Helen Haines has been injured in Wangaratta today.
🏆 A fantastic night celebrating our local businesses at the 2026 Monash Business Awards Gala!
🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was great to attend the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast hosted by Steve Dimopoulos.
⏳ 24 years in the making!
🚴♂️🌳 Have your say on the future of Stan Riley Reserve in Oakleigh South!
🌿💚 $200,000 for KooyongKoot (Gardiners Creek)!
🚨🇦🇺 Behind the scenes of Australia’s emergency response! Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved. Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.
The recovery is far from over. Roads, bridges, businesses and community facilities have been affected, and rebuilding takes much longer than the headlines last.
We heard directly from residents, volunteers and local businesses about the challenges they continue to face, and the incredible community spirit helping them through.
One highlight was meeting Alexandra Events Corporation, which has grown from running a local truck show to supporting vital community services, including a mobile health van.
We also visited HG Turf, where I couldn’t resist lying on some grass destined for the MCG. As a Melbourne supporter, it was too good an opportunity to pass up! 🔴🔵
A huge thanks to Mayor Damien Gallagher, Murrindindi Shire Council and everyone who shared their experiences with us.
Disasters don’t recognise council boundaries, and no community should have to recover alone.
Murrindindi is a beautiful part of Victoria. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit, head up, support the local businesses and help the region recover. ❤️
#Murrindindi #BushfireRecovery #CommunityResilience #LocalGovernment
The church has been part of our Oakleigh community for more than 40 years, and it’s terrific to see this significant investment in its future.
The $4.2 million redevelopment brings a larger community hall, new kitchen, classrooms and multipurpose facilities, providing more space for the growing congregation and the generations to come.
Churches like this are so much more than places of worship. They’re places where people come together, friendships are formed, culture and traditions are passed down, and communities are strengthened.
Congratulations to Father Daniel, Father Luke, Father Angelos and the entire congregation on this wonderful achievement. It’s taken years of planning, fundraising and hard work to get to this point, and everyone involved should be incredibly proud.
A fantastic addition to our Oakleigh community! ❤️
#Oakleigh #Monash #Community #CopticOrthodox
Running through until 8pm tonight. Great food, plenty of rides and stalls. Come on down and enjoy a bit of Greek culture.
I’ve spent much of this week representing the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) at Urban Week, discussing housing, transport, infrastructure and how we plan for the growth of our cities.
One message I’ve been keen to get across is that building more housing isn’t just about putting roofs over people’s heads, it’s about building communities.
As our cities grow, we need investment in transport, schools, hospitals, community facilities and quality open space. We can’t simply keep adding homes without the infrastructure to support them.
And we need all three levels of government working together.
Local government had a seat at the national decision-making table through COAG for almost 30 years, but lost that seat when National Cabinet replaced it in 2020.
We need that seat back. Councils shouldn’t simply be expected to implement decisions made by the other two levels of government without being part of the conversation.
I also enjoyed discussions about removing stamp duty barriers to downsizing, and transforming spaces beneath elevated rail lines into parks, playgrounds and other community spaces.
Great catching up with Gabriel Ng MP at the launch of Building Australia’s Next Urban Chapter, and connecting with so many people passionate about the future of our cities.
Wearing my various hats across Monash, the MAV and ALGA, I’ll keep advocating for the investment our growing communities need.
Plenty of great ideas to take back to Victoria!
#UrbanWeek #WorldCitiesDay #LocalGovernment #UrbanPlanning #Housing
On Monday, we turned the first sod on our $110 million Glen Waverley Civic Precinct, marking the beginning of a project that will transform the heart of Glen Waverley.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a major infrastructure project without a photo of a politician wearing a hi-vis vest and hard hat! 😂
But behind the obligatory photo is a genuinely exciting investment in our community’s future.
We’re building a brand-new, state-of-the-art library with dedicated study areas, children’s spaces, creative and digital facilities, a new civic hall, flexible community spaces and welcoming outdoor areas.
This is about much more than a new library. It’s about creating a place where people can learn, connect, celebrate and come together for generations to come.
A huge thank you to everyone at the @monashcouncil who has worked to bring this project to life, along with our construction partners at Kane Constructions.
I can’t wait to see it take shape and, more importantly, see our community enjoying these incredible new facilities!
“Before we begin tonight’s meeting, I want to take a moment to reflect on the horrific attack on Federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta last week.
Like many Australians, I was shocked and deeply saddened by what happened. Helen was simply going about her work as an elected representative when she was subjected to an act of terrible violence.
My thoughts, and I’m sure those of everyone around this table, are with Helen, her family and her staff as she faces an incredibly difficult recovery.
I think this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.
We need to dial the temperature down.
Political debate has become increasingly hostile, particularly on social media, where personal attacks, abuse and threats are becoming far too common.
And while we don’t yet know what motivated this particular attack, it is a reminder of why we must never allow hostility and intimidation to become normalised in our democracy.
We are all elected to represent our communities. We will have different views, we will disagree, and at times those disagreements will be passionate. That’s democracy.
But we can disagree without being abusive. We can challenge ideas without attacking people. And we can debate passionately without losing respect for one another.
That applies not just to elected representatives, but to everyone who participates in public debate.
As Councillors, we have a responsibility to lead by example, including in this chamber.
Democracy depends on more than the right to have our say. It depends on our willingness to listen, to respect differences and to resolve disagreements peacefully.
There is absolutely no place for violence, threats or intimidation in our democracy.
On behalf of the City of Monash, I wish Helen a full and speedy recovery.”
@cote_terra @coteterracoffee
A few days ago, I received awards recognising ten years of service on Council and Mayor Emeritus, which got me thinking about how it all began.
Donna and I had just bought a house in Oakleigh. We had no children yet, but we did have a new puppy. One Saturday morning, we took him for a walk to a Council barbecue at Warrawee Park.
While we were having a sausage, Donna suggested I get involved in a Council subcommittee. I spoke to an officer, who introduced me to a Councillor. We became friends, and when the next election came around, he encouraged me to run.
So I did. And the community elected me.
A genuine sliding doors moment that changed the course of my life.
Ten years later, I’ve served as Mayor three times, including through COVID, and now serve as Deputy President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association.
It was particularly special to receive these awards from MAV President Jennifer Anderson and ALGA President Matt Burnett, who I now have the privilege of working alongside.
Who would have thought that a sausage at Warrawee Park would eventually lead to sitting across the table from the Prime Minister!
None of it would have been possible without Donna and my kids, who’ve shared me with the community through countless evenings and weekends, or the Councillors, Council staff and community members I’ve worked with along the way.
To the Councillor who encouraged me to run all those years ago, thank you. You know who you are.
And to the community, thank you for trusting me to represent the place we chose to make our home.
Ten years has gone incredibly quickly. It’s been an extraordinary part of my life, and it’s not over yet. There’s still plenty of work to do.
Each year, the Mayor has the opportunity to host a special community event, and this year I wanted to use that opportunity to recognise some of the incredible people who give so much to others.
Tuesday, I brought together Monash residents who have received an Order of Australia honour over the past four years, alongside representatives from our local service clubs, including Rotary, Lions, RSL, Probus and others.
These are people who dedicate countless hours to helping others, raising funds, supporting those in need and making our community a better place, often without expecting anything in return.
It was wonderful to hear from Order of Australia recipients Neale Bavington OAM and Kevin Maloney OAM, who shared their stories and experiences with us.
I was joined by Deputy Mayor Cr Elisha Lee and Matt Fregon MP for what was a fantastic afternoon recognising the contributions of so many wonderful people.
A special thank you to Geoffrey Grinton OAM for his assistance in bringing the event together, and to everyone who joined us.
👏 To all our Order of Australia recipients and service club volunteers, thank you. Your contributions don’t go unnoticed, and Monash is a better place because of you.
@cr.elishalee @mattfregonmp
Great to join @steve_dimopoulos to officially open the upgraded dog off-leash area at Jack Edwards Reserve in Oakleigh this week.
The upgrades include two new dog agility zones, improved fencing and gates, new seating, landscaping and better paths throughout the area.
It’s another great improvement to Jack Edwards Reserve, following the new pavilion, grandstand and synthetic soccer pitch.
Thanks to the Victorian Government for supporting the project, and to all the local residents who helped shape the design through their feedback.
A fantastic new space for our four-legged residents to enjoy. And apparently the occasional two-legged one too! 🐾
Great to be joined by Cr Shane McCluskey for an event that has been bringing our community together for almost five decades, raising funds for two very worthwhile causes.
Organised by the combined Rotary Clubs of Monash, all proceeds from the day will support the Monash Children’s Cancer Ward and the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Glen Waverley.
CPEC does incredible work supporting children with cerebral palsy, despite receiving limited funding from State and Federal Governments.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many children from CPEC over the years, and despite the physical challenges they face, some are among the smartest young people I’ve ever met.
I met Jade Gray, a passionate Melbourne supporter, which was clearly a sign of her superior intellect! ❤️💙 We had a great chat, bonding over shared memories and people we both know. A lovely reminder that physical limitations have absolutely nothing to do with intelligence or personality.
A huge thank you to the Rotarians who put so much time and effort into organising this event each year, along with the sponsors, volunteers and everyone who took part.
👏 47 years of giving back to our community is something worth celebrating!
@cpec.therapy @monashcouncil
Last week we officially opened the newly reconstructed South Oval at Central Reserve in Glen Waverley, following a major $1.8 million redevelopment.
Monash Council contributed $1.5 million towards the project, with the Victorian Government providing a further $300,000.
The works included a complete reconstruction of the oval, new drainage and irrigation systems, 10 turf cricket wicket strips, new fencing and improved access.
While some of these improvements might not be immediately obvious, they’ll make a huge difference to the clubs that use the ground, particularly during Melbourne’s wetter months when grounds can become unplayable.
The oval is home to Richmond Cricket Club, Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club and Mazenod Panthers All Abilities Football Club, supporting hundreds of local players across both summer and winter.
It was great to join John Mullahy MP, fellow Councillors and representatives from the clubs to officially open the ground.
A big thank you to the clubs for their patience during construction, and particularly to the volunteers, coaches and families who give so much of their time to keep community sport running. 👏
Looking forward to seeing the oval enjoyed by our community for many years to come!
We are all entitled to our own views and opinions, and we are entitled to disagree, sometimes strongly. But we must respect the right of others to hold different views.
We all need to dial the temperature down.
Political debate has become increasingly hostile, particularly on social media. We can disagree without being abusive, challenge ideas without attacking people, and debate passionately without losing respect for one another.
There is no place for violence, threats or intimidation in our democracy.
Democracy depends on more than the right to have our say. It depends on our willingness to listen, to respect differences and to resolve disagreements peacefully. These are values we must all stand up for, regardless of our political views. If we lose that respect for one another, we undermine the very democracy we are so fortunate to live in.
My thoughts are with Helen, her family and her staff tonight. I wish her a full and speedy recovery.
Congratulations to all the category winners and finalists. It’s great to see the hard work, dedication and success of businesses across Monash recognised.
A special congratulations to this year’s winners:
🏆 Business of the Year: Novotel Glen Waverley
🌟 Rising Star: The Splendor Homes
🏅 The Matt Dunn Award: Mana Fitness Solutions
🍽️ Hospitality: Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley
🩺 Health & Science: Victorian Hearing
🏪 Micro Business: Waverley Gardens Vet
🤝 Not for Profit: Monash Men’s Shed
💼 Professional Services: Topmigrationaustralia
Our local businesses are a huge part of what makes Monash such a great place to live and work. They create jobs, support our local economy and contribute so much to our community.
A big thank you to the Monash Business Association for organising another wonderful evening and for the work they do supporting our local business community.
Congratulations again to everyone recognised! 👏
@cr.elishalee
I’ve attended every one of these breakfasts over the past decade, apart from when COVID prevented them from going ahead.
It’s always a great event, but behind the pink decorations and delicious food is a very serious message.
💕 1 in 7 Australian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
In Australia, more than 20,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and around 3,300 lose their lives to this disease.
The good news is that early detection and improvements in treatment have made a huge difference, with the five-year survival rate now at 93%.
Ladies, please don’t put off getting checked. Early detection can save your life.
✅ Women aged 50–74 are encouraged to have a FREE breast screen every two years.
✅ Women aged 40–49 and over 74 can also access free screening and should speak with their doctor about whether it’s right for them.
✅ If you notice any unusual changes, don’t wait for your next screening appointment. See your GP.
📞 Book through BreastScreen Victoria on 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.org.au.
A big thank you to @steve_dimopoulos for continuing to host this important event and helping keep breast cancer awareness front of mind.
🎀 A few minutes of your time could save your life.
Yesterday I joined Waverley Softball Association for the opening of a time capsule buried back in 2002 during the Melbourne World Masters Games!
The 2002 Games were a massive event for Melbourne, bringing together almost 25,000 athletes competing across 26 sports, including softball.
Deputy Mayor Elisha Lee joined me, along with representatives from Softball Victoria and players and committee members from 2002, to take a trip down memory lane.
It was great to look back at a piece of our local sporting history and reflect on just how much has changed over the past 24 years.
What hasn’t changed is the dedication of the volunteers, players and families who keep community sport alive.
A big thank you to everyone at Waverley Softball for inviting us along and for continuing to build on the association’s proud history.
Here’s to the next 24 years!
@waverleysoftball @softball_vic @cr.elishalee
Stan Riley Reserve is home to Monash’s only BMX track, and we’re looking at ways to improve the reserve for riders, young people, families and everyone who uses it.
We’ve released an early concept plan showing what the future of the reserve could look like, including a new BMX/pump track, multipurpose court, ninja course, public toilet, picnic areas, improved pathways and more landscaping.
But these are just early ideas, and we want to hear what YOU think!
Whether you’re a BMX rider, a local resident or someone who enjoys spending time at the reserve, now is your chance to help shape its future.
💬 Have your say online through Shape Monash until Sunday 13 December 2026.
📍 Come and speak with Council officers in person at Stan Riley Reserve, Centre Road, Oakleigh South:
📅 Saturday 24 October, 1pm to 3pm
📅 Sunday 15 November, 1pm to 3pm
🚴 We’re also looking for riders interested in joining a track design focus group.
The plans aren’t final, and your feedback will help determine what the reserve looks like in the future.
I’d encourage everyone who uses the reserve to take a look at the concept plans and share their thoughts.
🔗 Link to the plans and consultation in my bio!
Great to see the Victorian Government commit $200,000 to support KooyongKoot, an important environmental corridor running through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
KooyongKoot, meaning Land of the Waterfowl, is the traditional name for Gardiners Creek. Its catchment covers 112 square kilometres, providing vital habitat for wildlife, green open spaces and recreational opportunities for our communities.
It was great to join Matt Fregon MP, who announced the funding commitment, alongside Boroondara Mayor Wes Gault and Deputy Mayor Shima Ibuki, the Mayor of Whitehorse and Stonnington Councillor Kate Hely to celebrate this commitment.
🤝 Our environment doesn’t stop at Council boundaries, and neither should our efforts to protect it.
Through the Gardiners Creek Regional Collaboration, five councils, government agencies, community groups and other organisations are working together to improve water quality, restore native vegetation, protect biodiversity and create healthier waterways.
A great example of regional collaboration delivering better environmental outcomes for our communities. 🌳🦆
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the National Situation Room at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Canberra, alongside my fellow Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Board members.
The National Situation Room operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, monitoring emergencies and disasters across Australia and internationally, including bushfires, floods, cyclones and other major crises.
🌏 One of the most interesting things I learnt was that NEMA doesn’t have its own geographical jurisdiction when it comes to responding to emergencies.
Unlike our state and territory emergency services, NEMA doesn’t simply take control when a disaster strikes. Its role is to coordinate Commonwealth assistance, generally when requested by a state or territory government.
Internationally, NEMA can only become involved in disaster response efforts when assistance is requested by the affected country. A recent example was the devastating floods in Nepal, where Australians were among those caught up in the disaster, but NEMA had to wait for an official request before becoming involved in the emergency response.
It’s an interesting feature of our federal system. Even during major disasters, responsibility for the response remains with the relevant jurisdiction, with NEMA helping to bring together the resources and capabilities of the Australian Government when needed.
🏘️ For local government, this coordination is particularly important. Councils are often on the frontline of disasters, supporting our communities during emergencies and dealing with the recovery long after the immediate danger has passed.
A fascinating opportunity to see how Australia’s national emergency coordination works and the people and technology behind it.
Thanks to the NEMA team for hosting us!
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